A War if We Want it: The South China Sea, Nationalism, and Great Power War in the 21st Century

Abstract

A clash between China and the United States over the South China Sea is neither inevitable nor advisable. Review and consideration of past and current territorial disputes involving China demonstrate significant strategic patience and restraint on the part of planner in Beijing, both when tensions are high and when China has a significant military advantage. Though actively strengthening their military capabilities, China's primary state focus is on economic developmentand securing potential alternatives for resources outside of the heavily used South China Sea. The South China Sea itself is a strategic vulnerability to China, and will remain should the military balance remain as it is. In effect, the decision on whether to view China as a cooperative partner or an adversary is for the United States, as China remains strategically exposed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 05, 2019
Accession Number
AD1087392

Entities

People

  • Ivan Luke
  • Matthew S. Bartholomaus

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Economic Development
  • Foreign Policy
  • Information Operations
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • International Trade
  • Marine Transportation
  • Military Operations
  • Military Strategy
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Oceans
  • Personnel Management
  • Recreation
  • Security
  • South China Sea
  • Territorial Disputes
  • Treaties
  • United States

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design